Vacuum cleaner attachment having a variable size inlet



Nov. 25, 1952 w. OTT 2,619,315

VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT HAVING A VARIABLE SIZE INLET Filed May 22,1947 IN VEN TOR.

(Thomas 5151712212012 492? Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENTOFFICE VACUUM CLEANER ATTACHMENT HAVING A VARIABLE SIZE INLET 4 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in vacuum cleaner attachmentwherein it is desired to provide a head particularly useful in thecleaning of upholstery, furniture and the like.

The object of the present invention resides in the provision of a simpleapparatus for use in combination with a source of supply of partialvacuum for cleaning dust and dirt from furniture, upholstered objects,mattresses and the like. The attachment is relatively light in weightand simple in construction and may be easily moved over the surface tobe cleaned. My head includes an elongated suction nozzle having apartition therein to divide the nozzle space into large and smallpassages. Valve means is provided in the nozzle so that the air enteringthe nozzle may move through a nozzle opening of relatively large area ormay move through a nozzle opening of relatively small area.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an elongatednozzle equipped with an elongated partition wall therein. The partitionwall forms nozzle openings of different area. If the amount of air beingdrawn into the nozzle tends to remain constant, the entrance of this airthrough a relatively small aperture increases the velocity of theentering air. Similarly when the air enters through a larger nozzleopening, the velocity of the entering air is decreased.

The provision of a vacuum cleaner head with nozzle apertures of twosizes is of decided advantage. The larger nozzle area is particularlyuseful when cleaning large areas of fabric material as the nozzle headis not drawn against the surface being cleaned with as much pressure aswhen a smaller nozzle area is used. Thus for general purpose cleaningthe larger nozzle area is advantageous. However, where air perviousmaterial is being cleaned, the smaller nozzle aperture is beneficial inremoving deeply embedded dirt. Furthermore, in general purpose use thesmaller nozzle area is preferable for picking up surface particles asthe air moves with high velocity between the nozzle head and the surfacebeing cleaned in entering the nozzle.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a vacuumcleaner head having a divided nozzle and including a simple flat valvewhich is movable into two extreme positions. When in one extremeposition this flap valve directs air from one area of the nozzleextrance. When in the other extreme position the air is drawn throughthe other nozzle aperture.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a valve inmy vacuum cleaner head and in the provision of a spring capable ofholding the valve in either extreme position. This spring is normallyconcealed from view but acts to hold the valve in adjusted position.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an externalmeans for operating the valve. The valve is pivotally supported upon anoperating shank and a knob is provided on this shank externally of thehead. By operation of the knob the valve may be turned to either extremeposition.

A novel feature of my invention lies in the provision of a simple andeffective means of assembling the valve operating members and thecasing. The casing is provided with a knob enclosure which enclosesone-half of the operating knob. The operating knob is cut off on oneside so that it may be easily inserted into the enclosure. A plug isprovided for holding the knob properly enclosed in its enclosure oncethe valve shaft has been inserted through the knob.

An important object of the present invention lies in the provision of avacuum control device by means of which the amount of vacuum at theinlet end of the nozzle may be controlled. In cleaning drapes and thelike, the attachment has a tendency to cling to the material because ofthe high vacuum created. I provide a means whereby apertures may beopened near the nozzle so as to cut down the vacuum at the normal nozzleinlet. As a result the attachment may be moved over the surface of thedrapes more readily.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the fOllOWiIlg specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my vacuum cleaner head showingthe construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the cleaner illustrated in Figure1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the cleanerhead showing the construction thereof.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the cleaner head, the position ofthe section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the valve in a differentposition.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the operating knob removed from thehead.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a detail portion of the structure.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the valve.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the valve arm to which the spring isattached.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an end plug employed to seal theworking parts of the mechanism.

The attachment A comprises an elongated nozzle housing ll) having a Widesubstantially fiat base portion H and inwardly tapering end walls 2. Theinwardly tapering walls l2 blend into a generally vertical tubularportion l5 which is preferably bent at M to form an inclined tubularoutlet l5. The outlet I5 may be frictionally engaged with a tubularconduit leading to a source of supply of partial vacuum or this tubularportion may be connected to a hollow conduit or handle of any desiredtype in any desired manner.

A generally cylindrical boss I5 projects lateral- 1y from the tubularmember l5 near its union with the tubular member I3. This boss projectsoutwardly from a flat wall portion H which forms a part of the housingat the inner extremity of the boss 16. A circular aperture I9 isprovided in the flat wall I! for accommodation of the valve stem as willbe later described.

A polygonal shaft 29 extends laterally through the aperture l9 and actsto support the flap valve 2| illustrated in detail in Figure -8 of thedrawings. A combined bearing and spring arm unit 22 is supported uponthe shaft 29 which in the drawings is illustrated as being square incross section. The member 22 includes a cylindrical body portion 23having a square aperture extending axially therethrough foraccommodation of the shaft 28. An arm 25 extends radially from one endof the cylindrical body 23, this arm 25 being provided with an outwardlyturned extremity 23. The cylindrical body portion 23 is of proper sizeto snugly fit within the aperture [9 and forms a cylindrical body whichmay freely rotate within the circular aperture l9 and which will supportthe shaft 2|) extending axially of the aperture IS.

The valve 2| comprises a fiat panel 21 having a curved outer edge 29designed to fit against the walls of the tubular conduit E5. The valve2| is supported to rotate on an axis extending through the center of thetubular portion I5 so that the edge 29 of the valve will fit snuglyagainst one wall thereof, in one extreme position of the valve and fitagainst the opposite wall thereof in the other extreme position of thevalve. The valve is illustrated in its two extreme positions in Figures4 and 5 of the drawings.

The valve 2| is provided with a tubular barrel extending along its axis,this barrel having a generally cylindrical outer surface with the panel27 extending radially therefrom. A square aperture 3| extends throughthe barrel 3B for accommodation of the saft 26. The outer edge 29 of thepanel 21 is oppositely beveled so as to rest against the walls of thetubular member 5 in either extreme position. v

A collar 32 having a cylindrical outer surface and a square aperture 33extending axially therethrough is supported on the valve shaft 20 at theopposite end of the valve 2| from the member 22. This collar 32 issupported in a circular aperture in a flat wall 36 on the side of thehousing opposite the flat wall IT. A generally cylindrical sleeve 31projects outwardly from the housing A on the side thereof opposite theboss IE and coaxial therewith. An inturned marginal flange 39 isprovided on the outer extremity of the sleeve 37. One side of the sleeve3! and flange 39 is cut away as indicated at 40 in Figure 3 of thedrawings, the sleeve and flange extending through an angular distance ofsomewhat greater than one hundred eighty degrees.

A knob 4| best illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings is supported onthe shaft 23 inwardly of the flange 39 and coaxial with the sleeve 31.The knob 4| has one side thereof cut away as indicated at 42 along aline parallel to a diameter of the knob. The outer surfaces 43 of theknob is knurled or roughened as indicated in Figures 1 and 6 of thedrawings and a groove 54 concen- "ic with the axis of the knob isprovided in the outer surface thereof. A square aperture 45 extendsthrough the knob for accommodation of the shaft 20.

By forming the knob ll in the manner illustrated, this knob may beinserted within the sleeve 31 even though the knob is of greater outerdiameter than the inner diameter of the flange 39, the knob diameterbeing smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 37. The knob :li isassembled in place by inserting this knob through the cut away portionof the sleeve 3'! and rotating the knob until the cut-off side 42thereof is angularly spaced from the cut away side 4| of 1e sleeve 31and flange 39. When the shaft 23 is inserted through the aperture 35 theexposed portion of the knurled periphery 433 of the knob will be visiblethrough the cut away side of the sleeve 31. The knob may be rotated byapply- .ing rotative pressure against the knurled surface 43.

A plug 46, best illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings, frictionallyengaged in the flange 39 and extends into the slot 44 of the knob .3 andconceals the outer wall of this knob. The plug 46 comprises a flat disc41' having a hollow cylindrical flange 49 projecting from one sidethereof. The flange 49 is concentric with the outer periphcry of theplug 46 and this flange frictionally engages in the groove 44. The plug46 thus conceals the adjacent end of the shaft 253 and the major portionof the outer wall of the knob 4|.

A similar plug 4'5 is frictionally engaged in the hollow cylindricalboss l5 projecting from the other side of the housing It. The flange 4E]frictionally engages within the hollow boss I3 and conceals the arm andcollar 22. A spring 53 is connected at one end to the extremity 26 ofthe arm 25 and is connected at its other end to a fixed pin 5| on theflat wall H. The spring 5!! is so located that when the valve panel 21is against one wall of the tubular housing portion ii the spring urgesthe valve against this wall as indicated in Figure While the valve panel2'; is in contact with the underside of the tubular housing portion l5,as indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the spring 50 holds the valvein this extreme position. In other words, the pin 5| is located so thatthe spring 58 passes dead center and holds the valve panel 21 in eitherof its extreme positions.

A partition wall 52 is provided with a curved upper extremity 53 to fitclosely about the barrel of the valve 2|. This partition 52 acts todivide the inlet end of the nozzle housing If! into two separatechambers 54 and 55. One of these chambers 54 is of substantially greatercross sectional area than the other chamber 55. As a result when thevalve 2| is in the position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, theair will enter the nozzle at one velocity. When the valve aenaers willbe facilitated. When the valve is turned into the position shown inFigure 4 so that the enter through the chamber at a relatively highervelocity, the suction head will be more effective at picking upparticles of material from the surface being cleaned and will also bemore effective for use in picking up certain types of dirt or dust. Thepartition 52 is provided at its opposite ends with laterally extendingears 5% through which bolts or cap screws 51 may extend holding thepartition wall in place. ihe ears extend in notches 59 formed in theundersurface of the nozzle head at either end of the p tltion. 1' i i Inthat the attachment A sometimes clings o object being cleaned even whenmaking use of the larger chamber E l, particularly drapes and otherlightweight articles, provision is made for reduc g the vacuum withinthe chamber Acgly, I employ a disc valve rotatably d on the nozzlehousing is by means of a screw t l. A plurality of apertures 92contained in th valve 98 are registraole with a similar nr "iber ofapertures 93 in the housing l9. With twisted or rotated so that theapertures 92 and are in full alignment, partial alignment or closedcompletely by being moved completely out of alignment.

Th operation of my attachment has been described in conjunction with theconstruction thereof. The knob All may be rotated with the thumb orfinger to change the position of the valve the spring 59 holding thevalve in set position.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my vacuum cleaner attachment, and whileI have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire tohave it understood that this is only illustrative thereof, and thatobvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claimswithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A valve device including a housing having an inlet end and a tubularoutlet end, a shaft extending transversely through said housing, a valveon said shaft engageable with either side of said tubular outlet, meansbiasing said valve toward each engaging position, a sleeve-like bossextending from one side of said housing concentric with said shaft, aflange on said boss extending inwardly from the outer extremity of theboss, a knob within said boss inwardly of said flange and operativelysecured to said shaft, and a cut away portion in said boss and flange toexpose a portion of the periphery of said knob, said knob being ofproper size to project beyond the cut away portion of the boss formanual operation.

2. A valve device including a housing having an inlet end and a tubularoutlet end, a shaft extending transversely through said housing, a

is structural arrangement the valve 69 may be Valve on said shaftengageable with either side of said tubular outlet, means biasing saidvalve toward each engaging position, a sleeve-like boss extending fromone side of said housing concentrio with said shaft, a flange on saidboss extending inwardly from the outer ext: nity of the boss, a knobwithin said boss inwardly of said flange and operatively secured to saidshaft, and a cut away portion in said boss and flange to expose aportion of the periphery of said knob, said knob being of properdimensions to project beyond the cut away portion of said boss, said cutaway portion being narrower than the diameter of said knob, said knobhaving a flat side thereon so that the width of the knob from the flatside to the diametrically opposite side of the knob is narrower than thecut away portion of said sleeve.

3. A valve device including a housing having an inlet end and a tubularoutlet end, a shaft extending transversely through said housing, a valveon said shaft engageable with either side of said tubular outlet, meansbiasing said valve toward each engaging position, a sleeve-like bossextending from one side of said housing concentric with said shaft, aflange on said boss extending inwardly from the outer extremity of theboss, a knob within said boss inwardly of said flange, and operativelysecured to said shaft, and a cut away portion in said boss and flange toexpose a portion of the periphery of said knob, a circular groove insaid knob, said knob being of proper dimensions to project beyond thecut away portion of said boss, and a plug having a flange engageable insaid circular groove.

4. A valve device including a casing having an inlet and a tubularoutlet, a pair of axially aligned sleeves projecting from the housingwall on diametrically opposite sides of said tubular outlet, a shaftextending through said housing wall coaxial with said sleeves, a valveon said shaft within said housing and pivotally swingable intoengagement with one wall of the tubular outlet on the opposite Wallthereof, an arm and one end of said shaft within one of said sleeves,spring means connecting the extremity of said arm to said housing toresiliently hold said valve in either extreme position, a knob supportedupon the other end of said shaft and operatively connected theretowithin the other of said sleeves, an inwardly projecting flange on theouter extremity of said other sleeve, and an open side on said otherboss to expose a portion of the periphery of said knob, said knob beingof proper dimensions relative to said other sleeve to project throughsaid open sleeve side.

THOMAS WELLINGTON OTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 918,930 Thurman Apr. 20, 19091,106,231 Marshall Aug. 4, 1914 1,304,519 Walker May 10, 1919 1,550,419Beaurline Aug. 18, 1925 2,142,978 Ericksson-Jones Jan. 3, 1939 2,244,464Link June 3, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 280,428 GreatBritain Nov. 1'7, 1927

